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| Calif. Sen. Boxer finds rocky re-election terrain |
| 2010-04-18 |
| Hints of re-election trouble for U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer come from a 65-year-old travel agent from this leafy Los Angeles suburb who's a fellow Democrat. Taxes and the national debt are too high, President Barack Obama has proved a disappointment and the Democratic Party needs new faces, according to Helen Sargent. Boxer, who's seeking a fourth term in Washington this fall, "has been there too long," says Sargent in Westlake Village, which Boxer carried by just 56 votes in 2004. "All politicians have a shelf life." Those are troubling words for Boxer, who won in a 20-point landslide six years ago, but now faces the fight of her political career. The nation's economic woes - particularly intense in hard-hit California - and a difficult electoral year for Democrats have created a rough challenge for the 69-year-old liberal Democrat. In a clear sign of her difficulties, President Barack Obama heads to Los Angeles on Monday to help raise money for Boxer, who is running about even with several potential Republican challengers, an alarming sign in the Democratic-leaning state. The proceeds from twin fundraisers will be split between Boxer and the Democratic National Committee; ticket prices range from $100 for a reception to $17,600 for dinner with the president. Voter frustration and outright anger is widespread in California, where the 12.6 percent unemployment rate tops the national average, home foreclosures have hit record highs and a budget crunch has led to deep cuts in the state's college system. In another Democratic-leaning state - Massachusetts - Republican Scott Brown captured Sen. Edward Kennedy's Senate seat in January. "The times are working against the kind of politician Barbara Boxer is," said Mark DiCamillo of the independent Field Poll. Liberals are associated with the growth of government and "that is really counter to the prevailing mood in the public." Boxer will share a stage with a president whose popularity outshines her own in California, even as his standing in national polls has fallen. Democrats also are quick to point out that the economy is slowly improving and Republicans are tangled up in a messy and expensive primary that could leave the nominee wounded and broke. Boxer faces only token opposition in the June 8 primary. Westlake Village, about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles, is the kind of swing-voting community where statewide elections are often won or lost in California. Republicans hold an edge in registration here but Obama carried the city in 2008, as did Boxer in 2004. Boxer is as beloved by her party's left wing as she is despised by conservatives. Her Republican rivals - state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, businesswoman Carly Fiorina and former Rep. Tom Campbell - have pilloried her relentlessly. Fiorina's campaign calls Boxer "the Bully of the Senate" and has depicted her in an ad as a floating hot air balloon casting ominous shadows over the state. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #8 Is he the one who is rumored to have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood or am I thinking of another Campbell? You're thinking of the right Campbell, Gomez Threter7450. See here. But he's running as a Republican, so that won't affect the primary, at least. It sounds like your election is going to be a matter of pulling the lever for the lesser of evils. Bottom line, as long as anyone other than Boxer wins, they won't have the seniority to accomplish much in their first term, and can be voted out as necessary before the next one. (Yes, I know the odds aren't good for voting out, but one can hope that justice will eventually prevail.) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2010-04-18 22:56 |
| #7 Campbell is too much the career pol, but knows the landscape. Is he the one who is rumored to have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood or am I thinking of another Campbell? I despise Boxer, but c'mon...if those rumors are true even Babs...ah, I can't even say it LOL. |
| Posted by: Gomez Threter7450 2010-04-18 21:20 |
| #6 Dear Associated Press: For the last time, it was NOT Ted Kennedy's seat, it belonges to the people. He was only placed in it by their will. ( Not that this will do any good, but I feel better) |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2010-04-18 18:15 |
| #5 Depends on if the big-city blues take enough of an interest in saving her ass. The rest of the state has definitely had enough of the crazed bint. |
| Posted by: mojo 2010-04-18 15:35 |
| #4 Hate to be so cynical on a Sunday morning, but California's lemmings will put her in again. I've watched it since I moved here in 1973. |
| Posted by: Sgt. D.T. 2010-04-18 11:43 |
| #3 Two words: Loretta Sanchez. It's gonna be an ugly election. |
| Posted by: Pappy 2010-04-18 09:35 |
| #2 Boxer, who's seeking a fourth term in Washington this fall, "has been there too long," Come on Californians, do the rest of the country a great service and vote "NO" for "Call me Senator" Boxer. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2010-04-18 08:37 |
| #1 I believe I may see the day that Boxer gets booted before I leave this state for good. 50-50 at this point. DeVore is a good conservative. Fiorina has weekpoints but plays well to the CA electorate. Campbell is too much the career pol, but knows the landscape. That's how I see it. My bet... Fiorina in the primary. Maybe not my first choice, but my money pick. In CA, that's as good as it gets. |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2010-04-18 00:52 |